Registration is open for the 2022 National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) International Space Apps Challenge. The theme, “Make Space,” for this year’s the world’s largest annual hackathon challenge emphasises NASA’s dedication to inclusion and will focus on Earth and space science, technology, and exploration.
Space Apps provides a forum for people all around the world who are passionate about creativity and innovation to leverage their unique views to tackle problems provided by NASA scientists. The challenges vary in skill level, expertise, subject matter, and purpose, and they cover a wide variety of fields and interests, including artificial intelligence and software development, as well as art and storytelling.
Thomas Zurbuchen, NASA’s associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, noted that during the hackathon, “Each year, Space Apps allows thousands to engage with NASA and its partners’ open data during the hackathon.” He remarked that “It has been rewarding to see the innovative projects created by Space Apps Challenge participants and observe their potential to generate meaningful contributions toward solving some of the most difficult challenges studied by NASA on Earth and in space.”
Space Apps offers a positive and secure environment that encourages teamwork and a growth mindset. The inventive and adaptable structure of this event enables participants to leave feeling enriched, motivated, and excited about learning, regardless of whether they are exploring a challenge, learning to be creative, defining team roles, picking up a technical skill, or learning to deal with hiccups that arise during challenge weekend.
“Talent is everywhere, but the scarcity of opportunity leaves so much talent unused and potentially untapped,” according to Karen St. Germain, director of NASA’s Earth Science Division. “There are so many positive stories resulting from this challenge that underscore the value of “making space” for everyone.”
Since its launch in 2012, Space Apps has established and expanded a global community that is united by a shared desire to solve issues and make a difference. The success stories that have directly come out of these challenges include the development of new products and business ventures, inventive improvements to existing products, and the facilitation of social and professional connections that have allowed people to access knowledge and insight they otherwise would not have. By connecting teams to challenges and experts from space agencies across the world, participants have access to new opportunities and knowledge that can impact them for a lifetime.
This year, NASA is pleased to announce that the Mexican Space Agency and the Indian Space Research Organisation have joined the list of space agency partners who support Space Apps. Several important partners from the previous year are returning, including the Australian Space Agency, Brazilian Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency, ESA (European Space Agency), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, National Space Activities Commission of Argentina, National Space Science Agency of Bahrain, Paraguayan Space Agency, and the South African National Space Agency. Space agency partnerships encourage more extensive global collaboration and provide a broader platform for participants to contribute to the fields of Earth and space science and technology through Space Apps.
The Earth Science Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, located at NASA Headquarters in Washington, is in charge of managing Space Apps. It is organised in collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, SecondMuse, and the NASA Open Innovation Applied Sciences Program.
How to Apply
Click here for more information about Space Apps and to register for an in-person or online event. Registration for in-person and virtual events is currently open until October 2, 2022.
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